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The City of Lancaster offers an affordable Street Tree Planting Program to all residents and businesses. The program is free of charge except for the cost of the tree. The City Arborist will help you pick a tree, conduct a site evaluation, prepare the planting site (including concrete removal), and plant the tree. Just follow the steps below!

All trees planted outside of this program require a permit from the City Arborist prior to planting. Refer to the Tree Manual for planting standards and refer to PP&L for recommendations on planting near/under powerlines.

Program Steps

Step 1Fill out an application online or make a request by phone (717-291-4846). City staff will then visit your site and mail you a Tree Planting Release Form with recommended species. Refer to the Tree List to see what tree species the City offers. Trees are sold to homeowners at-cost and range between $165-230. This also includes the labor for installation, which may involve removing concrete, removing a stump, digging the tree pit, and planting the tree.

Step 2Mail the City a Tree Planting Release Form. This must include a check for the appropriate amount. Only the landowner can sign this form and the species choice must be approved by the City Arborist, Jim Bower (717-291-4846). All trees are healthy, professionally-grown and range from 8-10 feet tall.

Step 3The City will prepare a proper site for your new tree. If an old stump or concrete sidewalk must be removed, the Arborist will handle it. There is no additional charge.

Step 4The City will deliver and plant your new tree. This typically involves soil preparation, mulching, staking, and anything else required to make sure your tree will thrive. They will include a watering bag that wraps around the trunk and is designed to deliver water to the tree. There is no additional charge.

Step 5It’s now up to you to properly maintain your tree. In its first two years of life, it will require weekly watering; the Arborist will provide instructions on filling the watering bag. You should also remove litter from the tree bed and occasionally consult an arborist about pruning. Landowners are responsible for maintaining their street tree, including removal, trimming, and replacement.

Available Trees

Below is a list of trees that can be purchased through the City’s Street Tree Planting Program. With a Tree Work Permit a resident can choose to plant another tree as long as it is permitted by the City’s ordinance. For a complete list of permitted trees see the City’s Tree Manual.

* Asterisks denote species native to Pennsylvania

LARGE TREES

Larger trees are most suitable for sites free of overhead power lines, constrictive sidewalks, and nearby, underground utilities.

1. AutumnBlazeMapleAcer x freemani

2. Armstrong MapleAcer x freemani

3. Red Maple*Acer rubrum

4. BowhallMapleAcer rubrum

5. October Glory Red Maple* Acer rubrum

7. Red Sunset Red Maple* Acer rubrum

8. Princeton Sentry Ginkgo (male)Ginkgo biloba

9. Autumn Gold Ginkgo (male)Ginkgo biloba

10. Kentucky Coffee Tree (male)* Gymnocladus dioicus

11. Dawn RedwoodMetasequoia glyptostroboides

12. London Plane TreePlatanus x acerifolia

13. Shumard Oak* Quercus shumardii

14. Red Oak* Quercus rubra

15. SwampWhiteOak* Quercus bicolor

16. SawtoothOakQuercus acutissima

17. BaldCypress* Taxodium distichum

18. LacebarkElmUlmus parviflora

19. Morton ElmUlmus japonica x Ulmus wilsoniana

20. Green VaseZelkovaZelkova serrata

MEDIUM TREES

In areas where overhead communication and secondary utility lines are present, medium-sized trees may be more suitable.

1. Hedge MapleAcer campestre

2. Belle Tower Sugar Maple* Acer saccharum

3. Fort McNair Red HorsechestnutAesculus x carnea

4. Fastigate European HornbeamCarpinus betulus

5. Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum

6. Shademaster Honey Locust* Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

7. Skyline Honey Locust* Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis

8. Goldenrain Tree Koelreuteria paniculata

9. Black Gum* Nyssa sylvatica

10. AmericanHophornbeam* Ostrya virginiana

11. Muhlenberg Oak* Quercus muehlenbergii

SMALL TREES

Wherever there may be primary power lines present, or extremely limited site space, small trees are most appropriate.

Street Tree Planting Request Form

Tree planting requests must be made by the Landowner of the property. This form will initiate a site visit to determine if a tree can be planted and what species are appropriate for the site. If your location is approved, then you will receive a Tree Planting Release Form in the mail; please sign and return the form.

Landowner’s Full Name: *

Landowner’s Mailing Address: *

Landowner’s Phone Number: *

Landowner’s Email Address:

Address of property for street tree (if different):

Description of planting location (e.g., side of house, front of house): *

Tree Species Preference (optional):

Submission

Submitting this form does not guarantee a tree planting. All prerequisites, including submission of the Tree Planting Release Form and payment, must be completed prior to planting.